Directional control mechanism for reaction propelled craft

ABSTRACT

A directional control mechanism is described for controlling reaction propelled craft. The mechanism has two vanes that are pivotally mounted for deflecting the exhaust stream from a reaction engine. The vanes are operated by a steering control mechanism that pivots one vane through a wider angle than the other vane to accent the turning of the craft. A forward-reverse control means is also operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in opposite directions to deflect and direct the exhaust stream in a forward direction to propel the craft rearward.

United States Patent [72} inventor [54] DIRECTIONAL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR REACTION PROPELLED CRAFT 12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 244/52, l 15/12 [51] lnt.Cl B644: [5/06 [50] Field of Search 244/52, 53. 54,55; llS/ll, 12,14, 16

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,738,i47 3/l956 Leech 244/52 2,758,805 8/l956 Graham 244/52 2,B7i,656 2/1959 Johnson 244/52 X l,344,5l8 6/1920 Rees ll5/l2 X 3,l46,586 9/l964 Newby ll5/l4 X Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner-$teven W. Weinrieb Atlorney-wells & St John 87 75 JIL m n to PATENTED 0m slsn SHEEI U 01'' 5 INVHNTUR. 7:65:11. Chum. TON J5.

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DIRECTIONAL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR REACT ION PROPELLED CRAFT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to reaction propulsion crafts and more particularly to direction control mechanisms for directing and turning such crafts.

Reaction propulsion is generally defined as the propulsion of a craft produced by the forward directed forces of a reaction resulting from the rearward discharge from the craft a high-speed stream of matter, most frequently fluid. Jet propulsion and rocket propulsion are included in the definition of reaction propulsion.

One of the most difficult problems presented in the use of reaction propulsion engines as a propelling means is the problem of precisionally controlling the direction of the craft.

Jet-propelled aircraft generally use control surfaces that extend into the airstream to control the direction of the craft while the aircraft is being propelled through the air. However, it is difficult to design control surfaces that are sensitive and effective through a wide range of airspeeds. Consequently, on the ground, the aircraft utilizes predominantly a wheel steering system. Often reversing devices are utilized in stopping the jet-propelled aircraft during landing by deflecting the propulsion jetstream forward.

Jet-propelled watercraft have directional control systems for deflecting the jetstream from side to side utilizing vanes or rudders positioned in the airstream to provide a positive turning control. To move the watercraft rearward the jetstream is routed by gates or other like mechanism through manifolds directing the jetstream forward. Sometimes auxiliary vanes or rudders are mounted in the reversing manifold to deflect the jetstrearn to turn the craft when the craft is moving rearward. Often the control systems are very complicated and expensive providing duplication without substantial stability and responsive control.

Directional control of rockets is generally accomplished by gimbaling the rocket engine nozzle to change the direction of the exhaust stream with relationship to the axis of the rocket. Often minor adjustment in the trajectory of the rocket is accomplished by vemier rocket engines that project to the side of the rocket. Reverse thrust is frequently generated by operating the retrorocltet engines that are directed in opposite directions to the main propulsion rocket engine. Retrorocket engines are also used to enable a spacecraft to counter the force of gravity during landing. However, it has been found that it is difficult to design a single engine nozzle assembly that is capable of directing the propulsion stream in opposite directions to propel the rocket forward or rearward while at the same time providing turning control.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a single deflector system that is capable of directing an exhaust stream from a reactive engine for turning control and for forward and reverse control.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a directional control mechanism for reaction engines that is capable of significantly decreasingthe turning radius of the craft over conventional mechanisms.

A further object of this invention is to provide deflector elements for such a directional control mechanism for simultaneously directing different portions of the exhaust stream at various angles to the axis of the craft.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a single pair of deflective elements for providing direction control of a reaction propelled watercraft for both forward and reverse control and turning control.

A further object of this invention is'to provide a novel linkage mechanism for operating a single pair of deflecting elements to accomplish both turning control and forward reverse control.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a novel arrangement of nozzle configuration having reverse exhaust ports communicating with the nozzle wherein deflecting elements regulate the flow of the exhaust stream therebetween.

A further object of this invention is to provide a directional control mechanism for reaction propelled craft that is simple to construct and easy to operate.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a directional mechanism for jet-propelled craft having a pair of vanes that are moved in unison in one direction for providing turning control and moved in opposite directions to provide forward-reverse control.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon the reading of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a direction control mechanism for a reaction propelled craft showing a pair of deflecting elements mounted adjacent the end of an exhaust conduit;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken along line 2 2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the directional control mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a plan schematic view showing the deflecting elements being pivoted in unison in one direction for turning the craft at a sharp angle;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view similar to F IG. 4 showing the deflecting elements being pivoted in one direction for gradually turning the craft;

FIG. 6 is a plan schematic view showing the deflecting elements being pivoted in opposite directions for deflecting part of the airstream into reverse thrust ports;

FIG. 7 is a plan schematic view similar to FIG. 6 showing the deflecting elements being pivoted in opposite directions to an extreme reverse position deflecting almost all of the exhaust stream to the reverse thrust ports; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 7 showing the deflecting elements being pivoted slightly in the same direction while in the extreme reverse position for steering the craft while the craft is moved rearward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. I a fragmentary portion of a reaction propelled craft l0 and more specifically the rear section ll of the craft having a back end 12. A skin surface II! of the craft is shown in FIG. 2. An exhaust conduit 14 is mounted in the craft l0 and extends from a conventional reaction propulsion engine or pump (not shown) along a longitudinal axis X to the rear buck end [2 of the craft. The exhaust conduit 14 necks down to provide a nozzle or orifice efi'ect terminating at end 15.

A directional control mechanism I6 is mounted at the end 15 symmetrical with axis X for deflecting an exhaust stream emitted from the exhaust conduit 14. The directional control mechanism includes a directional control valve or nozzle 17 that extends from the end 15 to the back end 12 of the craft. The directional control mechanism 16 also includes a control means 18 for operating the valve 17 to deflect the exhaust stream to control the direction of the craft.

The directional control valve [7 has housing 20 with an upper plate 21 and a lower plate 22 which may be incorporated into the surface skin 13. The valve 17 has an inlet 24 surrounding the end 14 and aligned along the longitudinal axis X. The valve 17 has a nozzle forward thrust outlet 25 having inclined sidewalls 26 and 27 respectively that extend outwardly diverging from the longitudinal axis at an angle of ap proximately 30. The angle of the sidewalls 26 and 27 may be varied depending upon the desired turning radius of the craft.

The directional control valve or noule 17 has symmetrically positioned reverse thrust outlets 30 and 31 communicating with passageways 37. 38 respectively that extend to openings 40 and 41 in the surface skin 13 for directing the exhaust stream forward to provide a reverse thrust component.

The direction control valve 17 has curved wall sections 32 and 33 that extend from the reverse thrust outlets 30, 31 to the inclined sidewalls 26 and 27 respectively. Curved wall sections 34 and 35 extend from the inlet 24 to the reverse thrust outlets 30 and 31 respectively.

Exhaust stream deflecting means or vanes 44 and 45 are pivotally mounted in the directional control valve 17 for deflecting the exhaust stream from a linear longitudinal path for directional control. Each of the vanes 44 and 45 has a front surface 46 to form a continuation of the wall of the exhaust conduit 14 when the vanes 44 and 45 are in a parallel neutral position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The front surfaces 46 are cylindrically curved as shown in FIG. 3 to conform to the shape of the exhaust conduit 14. Each of the vanes 44 and 45 have a front end 47 that is normally immediately adjacent the end 15, a back surface 48, and a rear end 50 nonnally projecting rearward into the forward thrust outlet 25. The vanes 44 and 45 are fixed to vertical shafts 51 and 52 respectively for pivotal movement about fixed vertical axes. The shafts 51 and 52 are positioned intermediate the ends 47 and 50, somewhat closer to the front end 47, so that when the vanes are pivoted, the front ends 47 will move in arcs having substantially the same radius of curvature as the curved walls 34 and 35. The rear ends 50 move in arcs having a curvature of radius substantially the same as the curved walls 32 and 33. The vanes 44 and 45 when pivoted from a neutral parallel position deflect and direct the exhaust stream at different angles for directional control and for regulating the flow of the exhaust stream between the forward thrust outlet 25 and the reverse thrust outlets 30 and 31 to decrease the turning radius of the craft and to enable the craft to be moved rearward.

The control means 18 includes a steering control system 54 having a steering rod 55 that may be manipulated by the operator of the craft. The steering rod 55 extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis X for pivoting a central compound linkage 56 in either direction from a symmetrical neutral position. Branch compound linkages 57 and 58 extend from the central compound linkage 56 to the shafts 51 and 52 respectively for pivoting the vanes 44 and 45 to deflect the exhaust stream. The rear ends 50 of the vanes moves in an opposite direction to the movement of the steering rod 55. The steering control systems 54 pivot one of the vanes in a progressively wider angle than the other vane. When it is desired to turn the craft to the left, vane 45 is pivoted through a wider angle than the vane 44. When it is desired to turn the craft to the right, vane 44 is pivoted through a wider angle than vane 45 (see FIGS. 4 and This feature increases the sensitiveness of the turning response in relation to the movement of the control rod 55.

The central compound linkage 56 includes two levers 60 and 61 having curved ends 62 and 63 respectively that are freely pivotally mounted on the shafts 51 and 52 respectively. The levers 60 and 61 extend forward and are pivotally interconnected at the forward ends by a cross member 64. The distance between the forward ends of the levers 60 and 61 is considerably less than the distance between the shafts 51 and 52 so that as the levers 60 and 61 pivot about the shafts 51 and 52 from the symmetrical neutral position in either direction, one of the levers moves through a progressively wider angle than the other lever. The steering rod 55 is connected to the crossmember 64 through a bar 65.

The central compound linkage 56 also includes slide assemblies 67 and 68 that are slidably mounted on the levers 61 and 60 respectively. Each of the slide assemblies 67 and 68 has a rigid arm 70 that extends outward to the side of the slide assemblies for interconnecting with the branch compound linkage 57 and 58. Rods 71 and 72 having one end thereof pivotally affixed to the slide assembly 67 and 68 respectively, extend rearward in a converging manner with the other ends fixed to a bushing 73. The bushing is pivotally mounted on a shaft 74 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis 75. The vertical axis 75 is equidistant from the vertical axes of the shafts 51 and 52 along the longitudinal axis X.

The branch compound linkage 57 has a lever 77 having one end pivotally mounted to the arm 70 of the slide assembly 67 and the other end pivotally connected to a lever 78. The lever 78 has one end affixed radially to the shaft 51. The branch compound linkage 58 is identical to the branch compound linkage 57 and includes a lever 80 having one end pivotally connected to arm 70 of the slide assembly 68 and the other end pivotally connected to directional lever 81. The lever 81 has one end affixed radially to the shaft 52.

During the operation of the steering control system, the vanes 44 and 45 are moved in unison in the same direction, either to the left or right, to turn the craft. The pivotal movement of the vanes 44 and 45 is the result of the compound movements of the elements of the steering control system 54. As the steering rod 55 moves in one direction the levers 60 and 61 pivot about spaced vertical axis while the slide assemblies 67 and 68 move along the levers 60 and 61 and symmetrically pivot about the vertical axis 75. The arms 70 extend outwardly to transmit the resultant compound movement to the branch compound linkages 57 and 58. The resultant com pound movements cause the branch linkages to pivot one of the vanes through a progressively wider angle than the other vane to progressively decrease the turning radius of the craft as the steering rod moves from the neutral position. An example of this operation of the steering control means is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. In FIG. 5 the central compound linkage 56 is moved slightly in one direction from the symmetrical neutral position to pivot the vanes 44 and 45 in unison in the opposite direction. The front end 47 of the vane 44 moves into the exhaust stream to direct a portion of the exhaust stream along the back surface of the vane 44 and out the forward thrust outlet 25 at an angle to the longitudinal axis X. The rear end 50 of the vane 45 pivots into the exhaust frame to deflect a portion of the exhaust stream to cause the craft to turn to the right. A sharper turn is illustrated in FIG. 4 in which a substantial portion of the exhaust stream is deflected by the front end 47 of the vane 44 along the back surface with a substantial amount of the deflected stream being directed out the reverse thrust outlet 30 and the remainder part of the deflected exhaust stream being directed at a large acute angle out the outlet 25. The portion of the stream passing through the reverse thrust outlet 30 provides an additional turning movement to accent the turning of the craft to sharply decrease the turning radius of the craft. In this regard, the vane 44 may be said to be regulating the flow between the reverse exhaust outlet 30 and the forward thrust outlet 25. The vane 45 pivots to a sharper angle to deflect the remainder of the exhaust stream at a sharp angle to assist in turning the craft.

The control means 18 also includes a forward-reverse control means 84 for pivoting the vanes 44 and 45 in unison in opposite directions as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. This is accomplished by moving the vertical axis 75 along the longitudinal axis X. The forward-reverse means includes a control rod 85 (FIG. I) that extends rearward to pivotally connect with a radial arm 86 extending from a shaft 87. The shaft 87 is mounted in bearings 88 transverse to the longitudinal axis X. An arm frame 90 is affixed to the shaft 85 for supporting the bushing 73. The rod 85 rotates the shaft 87 to move the bushing 73 and the corresponding vertical axis 75 forward to move the slides 67 and 68 on the levers 60 and 61 to pivot the vanes in unison in opposite directions to move the forward ends 47 of the vanes 44 and 45 into the exhaust stream to divide the exhaust stream and deflect the exhaust stream along the back surfaces 48 of the vanes. A neutral forward-reverse position is obtained wherein the forward thrust of the exhaust stream and the rearward thrust of the exhaust stream cancel each other out. Continual forward movement of the vertical axis 75 causes the exhaust stream passing through the reverse thrust outlets 30 and 31 respectively to propel the craft rearward.

It should be noted that steering control may be maintained independently of the position of the forward-reverse control means to provide turning capability whether the craft is moving forward, reverse or in a neutral position (See FIG. 7).

The control means also includes a turning limiting means 95 for limiting the degree of freedom of the steering control system 54 as the forward-reverse control means is operated from a forward position to a reverse position. The turning limiting means includes projections 96 and 97 mounted on the inside of the slide assemblies 67 and 68 respectively for limiting the degree of movement of the frame defined by the levers 60, 61 and 64. Adjustment bolts 98 are provided to adjust the position of the projections 96 and 97 to vary the degree of movement of the levers 60 and 61. As shown in FIG. 8, the forward-reverse control means is in the extreme reverse position with the slide assemblies 67 and 68 at the forward ends of the lever 60 and 61 respectively. After a small degree of movement of the steering control rod projections 86 and 97 engage each other to prevent any further pivotal movement of the central compound linkage 56 thereby limiting the degree that the vanes 44 and 45 may be pivoted in unison in one direction.

From this description it can be readily appreciated that the vanes 44 and 45 are capable of deflecting the exhaust stream in such a manner as to turn the craft and to provide a forward reverse control without any other deflecting means necessary. The vanes 44 and 45 serve as deflecting means and flow regulating means between the forward thrust outlet 25 and the reverse thrust outlets 30 and 31 to decrease the radius of turning ofthe vehicle.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I define my invention as follows.

lclairn:

l. A directional control mechanism for a reaction propulsion craft having a longitudinal exhaust conduit through which an exhaust stream is discharged to propel the craft, said directional control mechanism comprising:

a. two transversely spaced vanes mounted adjacent the discharge engaging the exhaust stream on opposite sides;

b. a steering control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in the same direction from a neutral position for deflecting the exhaust stream to turn the craft;

c. a forward-reverse control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in opposite directions between a forward position in which the exhaust stream is not significantly deflected to propel the craft forward and a reverse position in which most of the stream is deflected to slow the forward movement of the craft or to propel the craft rearward; and

d. steering limiting means operatively interconnecting the steering control means and the forward-reverse control for progressively decreasing the 2. A directional control mechanism for a reaction propulsion craft having a longitudinal conduit through which an exhaust stream is discharged to propel the craft, said directional control mechanism comprising:

a. two transversely spaced vanes mounted adjacent the discharge engaging the exhaust stream on opposite sides;

b. a steering control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in the same direction from a neutral position to deflect the exhaust stream to turn the craft and for pivoting one vane through a progressively wider angle than the other vane as the vanes are pivoted in unison from the neutral position to decrease the radius of turning of the craft; and

c. wherein each vane has a forward end, a front surface, a rear end and a back surface and is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis intermediate the ends thereof in which the front surfaces form a continuation of the conduit when the vanes are in the neutral position and wherein the steering control means pivots the vanes in unison to move the front end of one vane into the exhaust stream to deflect at least a portion of the exhaust stream along the back surface of said one vane and to move the rear end of the other vane into the air stream to deflect at least another portion of the exhaust stream along the front surface of the other vane.

3. A directional control means as defined in claim 2 wherein the steering control means has a compound linkage means interconnecting the vanes for pivoting said one vane to a greater degree than the other vane as the vanes are pivoted from the neutral position.

4. A directional control means as defined in claim 3 wherein the vanes are pivoted about spaced parallel fixed axes and wherein the compound linkage means is symmetrical when the vanes are in the neutral position and has:

1. a central linkage mounted for pivotal movement about an axis parallel with and equidistant from the vane axes; and

2. branch linkages interconnecting the vanes and the central linkage for pivoting the one vane to a greater degree when the central linkage is moved toward the axis of the other vane.

5. A directional control means as defined in claim 4 further comprising a forward-reverse control means operatively connected to the central linkage to move the axis of the central linkage along a longitudinal line equidistant from the vane axes to pivot the vanes in unison in opposite directions from the neutral position to divide and deflect the exhaust stream.

6. A directional control mechanism for a reaction propulsion craft having a conduit aligned along a longitudinal axis through which a stream is discharged, said directional control mechanism comprising:

a directional control valve mounted at the conduit discharge aligned along the longitudinal axis to receive the exhaust stream from the conduit;

said directional control valve having a forward thrust outlet directed rearward and aligned along the longitudinal axis and two reverse thrust outlets positioned symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis and directed forward;

two transversely spaced control vanes pivotally mounted in the valve on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis for changing the direction of the exhaust stream through the forward thrust outlet and to regulate the flow of the exhaust stream between the forward thrust outlet and the reverse thrust outlets to propel the craft forward or rearward and to turn the craft when the craft is moving either forward or rearward;

control means operatively connected to the control vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in the same direction to propel and turn the craft; and

wherein each vane has a front surface, forward end, back surface and a rearward end and is pivotally mounted intermediate the ends and wherein the control means pivots the vanes in the same direction to move the front end of one of the vanes into the exhaust stream to deflect a portion of the exhaust stream along the back surface to one of the reverse thrust outlets to direct a portion of the exhaust stream forward to decrease the turning radius.

7. A directional control mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein the control means pivots the vanes in unison in the same direction to turn the craft and pivots the vanes in unison in opposite directions to move the craft rearward.

8. A directional control mechanism as defined in claim 7 wherein the control means pivots the vanes in unison in opposite directions to move the front ends of the vanes into the exhaust stream to divide and deflect portions of the exhaust stream along the back surfaces to the reverse thrust outlets to move the craft rearward.

9. A directional control mechanism for a reaction propulsion craft having a longitudinal exhaust conduit through which an exhaust stream is discharged to propel the craft. said directional control mechanism comprising;

a. two transversely spaced vanes mounted adjacent the discharge engaging the exhaust stream on opposite sides;

b. a steering control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in the same direction from a neutral position for deflecting the exhaust stream to turn the craft;

c. a forward-reverse control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in opposite directions between a forward position in which the exhaust stream is not significantly deflected to propel the craft fonvard and a reverse position in which most of the stream is deflected to slow the forward movement of the craft or to propel the craft rearward; and

d. wherein the steering control means includes steering interconnecting means operatively interconnecting the vanes to pivot one vane through a progressively wider angle than the other vane when the steering control means is operated to turn the craft.

It]. A directional control mechanism as defined in claim 9 wherein the steering interconnecting means includes a compound linkage interconnecting the vanes for pivoting one vane through a progressively wider angle than the other vane as the compound linkage is progressively moved in either direction from a neutral position to decrease the turning radius of the crah.

II. A directional control mechanism for a reaction propulsion crafl having a longitudinal exhaust conduit through which a jetstream is discharged to propel the craft, said directional control mechanism comprising:

a. two transversely spaced vanes pivotally mounted adjacent the discharge engaging the jetstream, each vane having a front end and a back side;

b. a steering control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in the same direction from a neutral position for deflecting the jetstream to turn the crafi; and

c. a forward-reverse control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in opposite directions between the neutral position in which the jetstream is not significantly deflected to propel the craft forward and a reverse position in which the front ends of the vanes are moved toward each other to deflect most of the stream against the back sides of the vanes to slow the forward movement of the craft or to propel the craft rearward.

[2. A directional control mechanism for a reaction propulsion craft having a longitudinal exhaust conduit through which an exhaust stream is discharged to propel the craft. said directional control mechanism comprising;

a. two transversely spaced vanes pivotally mounted adjacent b. a steering control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes about said forward axis in unison in the same direction from a neutral position against said bias to move a front end of one vane and the rear end of the other vane into the exhaust stream to deflect at least a portion of the exhaust stream against the back side of the one vane and against the front side of the other vane; and

. a forward-reverse control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in opposite directions between the neutral position in which the exhaust stream is not significantly deflected to propel the craft forward and a reverse position in which corresponding ends of the vanes are moved toward each other into the exhaust stream against the bias to deflect most of the exhaust stream to slow the forward movement of the craft or to propel the craft rearward. 

1. A directional control mechanism for a reaction propulsion craft having a longitudinal exhaust conduit through which an exhaust stream is discharged to propel the craft, said directional control mechanism comprising: a. two transversely spaced vanes mounted adjacent the discharge engaging the exhaust stream on opposite sides; b. a steering control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in the same direction from a neutral position for deflecting the exhaust stream to turn the craft; c. a forward-reverse control means operatively Connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in opposite directions between a forward position in which the exhaust stream is not significantly deflected to propel the craft forward and a reverse position in which most of the stream is deflected to slow the forward movement of the craft or to propel the craft rearward; and d. steering limiting means operatively interconnecting the steering control means and the forward-reverse control for progressively decreasing the
 2. A directional control mechanism for a reaction propulsion craft having a longitudinal conduit through which an exhaust stream is discharged to propel the craft, said directional control mechanism comprising: a. two transversely spaced vanes mounted adjacent the discharge engaging the exhaust stream on opposite sides; b. a steering control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in the same direction from a neutral position to deflect the exhaust stream to turn the craft and for pivoting one vane through a progressively wider angle than the other vane as the vanes are pivoted in unison from the neutral position to decrease the radius of turning of the craft; and c. wherein each vane has a forward end, a front surface, a rear end and a back surface and is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis intermediate the ends thereof in which the front surfaces form a continuation of the conduit when the vanes are in the neutral position and wherein the steering control means pivots the vanes in unison to move the front end of one vane into the exhaust stream to deflect at least a portion of the exhaust stream along the back surface of said one vane and to move the rear end of the other vane into the air stream to deflect at least another portion of the exhaust stream along the front surface of the other vane.
 2. branch linkages interconnecting the vanes and the central linkage for pivoting the one vane to a greater degree when the central linkage is moved toward the axis of the other vane.
 3. A directional control means as defined in claim 2 wherein the steering control means has a compound linkage means interconnecting the vanes for pivoting said one vane to a greater degree than the other vane as the vanes are pivoted from the neutral position.
 4. A directional control means as defined in claim 3 wherein the vanes are pivoted about spaced parallel fixed axes and wherein the compound linkage means is symmetrical when the vanes are in the neutral position and has:
 5. A directional control means as defined in claim 4 further comprising a forward-reverse control means operatively connected to the central linkage to move the axis of the central linkage along a longitudinal line equidistant from the vane axes to pivot the vanes in unison in opposite directions from the neutral position to divide and deflect the exhaust stream.
 6. A directional control mechanism for a reaction propulsion craft having a conduit aligned along a longitudinal axis through which a stream is discharged, said directional control mechanism comprising: a directional control valve mounted at the conduit discharge aligned along the longitudinal axis to receive the exhaust stream from the conduit; said directional control valve having a forward thrust outlet directed rearward and aligned along the longitudinal axis and two reverse thrust outlets positioned symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis and directed forward; two transversely spaced control vanes pivotally mounted in the valve on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis for changing the direction of the exhaust stream through the forward thrust outlet and to regulate the flow of the exhaust stream between the forward thrust outlet and the reverse thrust outlets to propel the craft forward or rearward and to turn the craft when the craft is moving eithEr forward or rearward; control means operatively connected to the control vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in the same direction to propel and turn the craft; and wherein each vane has a front surface, forward end, back surface and a rearward end and is pivotally mounted intermediate the ends and wherein the control means pivots the vanes in the same direction to move the front end of one of the vanes into the exhaust stream to deflect a portion of the exhaust stream along the back surface to one of the reverse thrust outlets to direct a portion of the exhaust stream forward to decrease the turning radius.
 7. A directional control mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein the control means pivots the vanes in unison in the same direction to turn the craft and pivots the vanes in unison in opposite directions to move the craft rearward.
 8. A directional control mechanism as defined in claim 7 wherein the control means pivots the vanes in unison in opposite directions to move the front ends of the vanes into the exhaust stream to divide and deflect portions of the exhaust stream along the back surfaces to the reverse thrust outlets to move the craft rearward.
 9. A directional control mechanism for a reaction propulsion craft having a longitudinal exhaust conduit through which an exhaust stream is discharged to propel the craft, said directional control mechanism comprising; a. two transversely spaced vanes mounted adjacent the discharge engaging the exhaust stream on opposite sides; b. a steering control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in the same direction from a neutral position for deflecting the exhaust stream to turn the craft; c. a forward-reverse control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in opposite directions between a forward position in which the exhaust stream is not significantly deflected to propel the craft forward and a reverse position in which most of the stream is deflected to slow the forward movement of the craft or to propel the craft rearward; and d. wherein the steering control means includes steering interconnecting means operatively interconnecting the vanes to pivot one vane through a progressively wider angle than the other vane when the steering control means is operated to turn the craft.
 10. A directional control mechanism as defined in claim 9 wherein the steering interconnecting means includes a compound linkage interconnecting the vanes for pivoting one vane through a progressively wider angle than the other vane as the compound linkage is progressively moved in either direction from a neutral position to decrease the turning radius of the craft.
 11. A directional control mechanism for a reaction propulsion craft having a longitudinal exhaust conduit through which a jetstream is discharged to propel the craft, said directional control mechanism comprising: a. two transversely spaced vanes pivotally mounted adjacent the discharge engaging the jetstream, each vane having a front end and a back side; b. a steering control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in the same direction from a neutral position for deflecting the jetstream to turn the craft; and c. a forward-reverse control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in opposite directions between the neutral position in which the jetstream is not significantly deflected to propel the craft forward and a reverse position in which the front ends of the vanes are moved toward each other to deflect most of the stream against the back sides of the vanes to slow the forward movement of the craft or to propel the craft rearward.
 12. A directional control mechanism for a reaction propulsion craft having a longitudinal exhaust conduit through which an exhaust stream is discharged to propel the craft, said directional control mechanism comprising; a. two transversely spaced vanes pivotally mounted adjacent the discharge on opposite sides of the jetstream, each of said vanes having a front end, a front side, a back side and a rear end in which each vane is pivotable about a forward axis intermediate the ends and closer to the front end so that when the vanes are pivoted from a neutral position into the exhaust stream, pressure of the exhaust stream against the vanes will pivotally bias the vanes to the neutral position; b. a steering control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes about said forward axis in unison in the same direction from a neutral position against said bias to move a front end of one vane and the rear end of the other vane into the exhaust stream to deflect at least a portion of the exhaust stream against the back side of the one vane and against the front side of the other vane; and c. a forward-reverse control means operatively connected to the vanes for pivoting the vanes in unison in opposite directions between the neutral position in which the exhaust stream is not significantly deflected to propel the craft forward and a reverse position in which corresponding ends of the vanes are moved toward each other into the exhaust stream against the bias to deflect most of the exhaust stream to slow the forward movement of the craft or to propel the craft rearward. 